Joey Bada$$ is done playing nice.
The Brooklyn-born rapper and Power Book III: Raising Kanan star just let it all out in an unfiltered, fiery Instagram rant aimed directly at Columbia Records—and he’s making it crystal clear: he’s fed up.
After hyping fans for months about his new project Lonely at the Top, Joey dropped a bombshell—the album won’t be dropping on August 1st as previously promised. And according to him, the label is entirely to blame.
“All They Do Is Get in My Way”: Joey Bada$$ Doesn’t Hold Back
In a raw and emotional video, Joey spoke directly to fans and aired his frustrations with his record label, saying:
“I’m signed to Columbia Records, but for the longest time I just ain’t been f*ing with them… All they do is get in my way.”**
He doubled down, insisting the delay has nothing to do with sample clearance, guest features, or production holdups—it’s purely a matter of the label dragging their feet.
“This time it’s not my fault. My st got pushed back because the label pushed my st back.”
No Release Date in Sight
What’s worse? There’s no new date on the horizon.
“At this moment in time, I can’t even give y’all a date,” Joey said, clearly deflated. “This is such a bad representation of the new energy I’m on.”
He admitted to prematurely announcing the August 1st release because he was tired of being stonewalled, and wanted to give fans something—anything.
But now, he’s just as lost as the rest of us.
“I’m ashamed. I’m f*ing disappointed.”**
“I’m Too Independent-Minded for This”
Joey’s frustration runs deeper than just a missed release date—it’s about creative control, artistic vision, and freedom.
“I’m way too fking independent-minded and self-sufficient to sit around and wait for people who is not getting in line with the vision.”**
He emphasized that his recent music drops have all been independent releases, many of which have premiered directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional label channels altogether.
“I’m not letting them slow me down anymore,” he vowed.
“This Is How I Really Feel”
In a move that stunned some fans, Joey ended the rant by flipping off Columbia Records in his video—a bold gesture that speaks volumes about where their relationship stands.
It’s a major public fallout between a major-label artist and his parent company—and Joey isn’t exactly tiptoeing around the drama.
The Fans React: “Let Joey Drop!”
Social media quickly lit up after Joey’s video, with fans rallying behind him under hashtags like:
- #FreeJoey
- #LetJoeyDrop
- #LonelyAtTheTop
Some even called for Joey to go fully independent moving forward, arguing that labels are “out of touch” with how today’s artists want to operate.
“Joey Bada$$ deserves better,” one fan tweeted. “The man has the music, the vision, and the grind. Let. Him. Drop.”
What We Know About Lonely at the Top
Although there’s no official tracklist, Joey has teased that Lonely at the Top represents a new chapter—both musically and spiritually.
He’s previously called the album “his most vulnerable work yet”, reflecting on fame, fatherhood, trauma, and transformation. The project is expected to include recent singles like:
- Fallin
- No Explanation
- Eulogy
Each of these tracks showcase Joey’s evolution from gritty lyricist to emotionally mature storyteller.
From Rap to TV—and Back Again
Joey’s label war comes amid his rising acting career, most notably his role as Unique on STARZ’s Raising Kanan. While fans love seeing him on screen, they’ve been itching for a full-length studio album since 2022’s 2000.
Lonely at the Top was supposed to be that return.
Instead, it’s become the center of a very public artist-versus-label standoff, highlighting ongoing tensions in the music industry.
The Bigger Picture: Are Major Labels Losing Their Grip?
Joey’s outburst is just the latest in a wave of artists openly criticizing their labels—following recent tensions involving:
- Doja Cat
- Tyla
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Tinashe
As more artists go indie or build direct fan relationships, the traditional label model seems increasingly outdated—and Joey Bada$$ just might be the latest name to walk away.
Stay tuned to The Pop Radar (TPR) for the latest on Joey Bada$$, his fight with Columbia Records, and what comes next for Lonely at the Top.
Do you think Joey should go fully independent? Should Columbia let him drop the album already? Sound off in the comments below!
